Military service
Burial/memorial information
Son of Joseph and Martha Zatonski, of Brantford, Ontario. Husband of Constance Mary (née Bunce) Zatonski, of Seaway Mount, Seaway Lane, Cockington, Torquay, South Devon, England. The family settled in Canada in 1926. At Central School in Brantford, Alex was active in its Skylark Club. He later attended Brantford Collegiate Institute where he earned the respect of his teachers and coaches for both his academic achievements and for his athletic prowess, especially football. Prior to the invasion of Poland, 24 year old Alexander was in London, England attempting to arrange immediate transportation to the 'old country'. Bitterly disappointed that he was unable to fight for his parents homeland, Alex joined the Royal Air Force rather than return to Canada. After some time in the RAF, he met his wife and they were married on 21 May 1941. On October 23, 1941, he was posted to the 238 Squadron and left Glasgow, Scotland, and a few days later for the Middle East. On 6 December 1941, he flew his first sortie over the desert, later in the day, on his second sortie, the plane in which he was flying was attacked from above. He regretfully never met his son, John Alexander. The City of Brantford named Zatonski Avenue for Flight Officer Alexander Zatonski, and registered it on 29 March 2001.
Digital gallery of Flying Officer Alexander Roman Zatonski
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In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 615 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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ALAMEIN MEMORIAL Egypt
Alamein is a village which is bypassed by the main coast road approximately 130 kilometres west of Alexandria on the way to Mersa Matruh.
The first Commission road direction sign is located just beyond the Alamein police checkpoint and all cemetery visitors should turn off from the main road onto the old coast road, which is parallel to the former. The cemetery and the ALAMEIN MEMORIAL both lie beyond the ridge. Road direction signs are in place approximately 25 metres before the low metal gates and stone wing walls which are situated centrally at the road edge at the head of the access path which leads down through the memorial building and into the cemetery. The Cross of Sacrifice feature may be seen from the road.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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